In astrology it is a substitute for diamond. Of the numerous forms of Opal Gemstones, Fire Opal is one of the rarest of them all. It is also unique and is demanded by the customers very often. It is also known as Girasol which is a type of opal that is mainly found near Central and South America. In the ancient period, people used to have great faith over this gemstone. They believed that it was the stone of paradise. Fire Opals gained their popularity in the early 1850s when the European Explorers found it.

Found primarily in the countries of Mexico and Brazil, Fire opal is also the national stone of Mexico. There, the gemstone is extracted from the pit mines and is then exported to the other parts of the world; where as some of the stones are sent to factories as they are cut in to precision and polished by expert gemstone cutters. It is also a major contributor to the Mexican economy. In order to view some of the wonderful specimens of the stone one can visit the National Museum of Mexico.

It is very difficult to handle a Fire Opal. In case, the stone is cut in a wrong way then it loses its lustrous color, thereby making the stone more brittle. It is for this reason that these stones are always kept in a pH neutral environment so that that they are not in any way affected by extreme temperatures. Maintaining Opal is not so easy. Proper is to be taken of the stone so that the water content inside the stone is not lost easily. Jewelers always suggest that wearing opals help to keep the necessary moisture inside the stone. Bringing them in close contact with cosmetics might cause them appear to be less transparent and the stone might lose its shine.

Due to its numerous healing properties, the stone provides remedy to persons who are suffering from personal and business problems. The stone has the ability to increase the personal power. It awakens inner fire and fills his body with encouragement. Moreover, it is also said that the stone protects the individual from any kind of danger and boosts his or her energy levels. Females are also immensely benefited after wearing this stone. It brings balance in the adrenal glands that are helpful for the female hormones. The stone is also suggested for those who are suffering from menopause problems. Businessmen also benefit themselves a lot from these stones as this can bring wealth and encourage progress of their business.

There are three important things or the three C’s that are Color, Clarity and Cut to be kept in mind before purchasing an Opal. It is always good to observe the stone under light in order to determine the authenticity of the stone. The brighter the color, the more valuable the stone is. Next, is Clarity. If the Opal that you are about to purchase does not have any inclusions then you can be sure that it is original. The last and important thing is the cut. Polished that are not faceted yet should always be purchased.